Give us some names. Maximizing Shestorokin, Fox, Miller and Zibanejad’s remaining years I’d suggest older short term guys, giving a few prospects and future prospects time to develop. Anders Lee, Mats Zuccarello, Radko Gudas( if Florida doesn’t convince him to sign), and John Carlson. I think the Rangers could afford all four on 2 year deals. U would have to reevaluate Gudas if more than 2 years. But they would ignite a huge change in ability to compete. I’m not sure there are any prime time younger UFA’s worth going long term with.
The UFA list this year is beyond underwhelming. I don't see anyone who can make us even marginally better.
Give us some names. Maximizing Shestorokin, Fox, Miller and Zibanejad’s remaining years I’d suggest older short term guys, giving a few prospects and future prospects time to develop. Anders Lee, Mats Zuccarello, Radko Gudas( if Florida doesn’t convince him to sign), and John Carlson. I think the Rangers could afford all four on 2 year deals. U would have to reevaluate Gudas if more than 2 years. But they would ignite a huge change in ability to compete. I’m not sure there are any prime time younger UFA’s worth going long term with.
I don't think it's even worth trying to maximize this team...and even if they were, none of those guys I think help. Perhaps you could make the case for Zuccarello as a puck distributer, but he's 38...and there's already a logjam on the PP which he'd need to be on in order to get his points. Maybe you could make the case for Macelli (unqualified RFA from Toronto), but he's hardly going to move the needle.
On the defense I don't see why Carlson would want to sign here, and not sure he's going to add a whole lot anyway again because of the PP logjam. And Gudas I expect to resign in Florida, they love him down there.
Expect we'll see a few depth signings, and possibly a trade or two rather than UFAs
It is a underwhelming pool and instead of spending stupid money on future bad players and long term bad aging contracts, better short term contracts. Better to try and bandaid with some short term UFA’s which are pretty much older players. Gudas if Florida can’t come to terms is exactly what the Rangers need on the third pair. Carlson on a PP with Fox would be very good. And Carolina probably can’t sign him. Lee and Zuccarello can both play 2 and 3 line and fill in on a first line in spurts. Your talking about trying to try to stay in a playoff hunt til legitimate Ranger prospects ripen. Rather see those 4 on the team than Raddysh, Sheary, Vaakanainen, and Borgen for the next couple of years. Gotta keep options open.
@cuyllranger Yeah, I get the logic...I guess I'm hoping for more trades and a few short term depth guys that don't cost a lot. Trades are harder though, especially with so many teams competing for players, and increasingly players controlling where they're willing to go to.
Well, Gudas has signed with FLA, and sounds like Zuccarello heading to LA